How to Pack Light

When heading out of town, no one wants to travel with unwieldy, overbearing luggage—but preventing your bags from tipping the scales is never easy. We asked tastemakers and entrepreneurs who get their passports stamped on the regular for their savviest packing tips.

“I take my Poler backpack with me everywhere,” says Kevin O’Connor, chef at large for olive oil purveyor Cobram Estate, who travels frequently between Melbourne and the U.S. to follow their olive harvests. “It’s made for the outdoors so I don’t feel bad about thrashing it in transit, stuffing it with food and produce at the nearest farmer’s market, or taking it foraging out in the Australian bush.”

Travel in your bulkiest pieces.

“It’s not economical to wear your lightest clothing and pack your heaviest, and the same rule applies to footwear,” says O’Connor. “On top of that, there’s a chance your luggage may not take the same path as you, and you don’t want to be stuck in your PJs. And always bring a jacket or a hoodie on the plane—it’s easy to carry on, saves luggage space, and comes in handy as a blanket or pillow.”

Substitute lighter, more compact items in place of daily essentials.

Keep your toiletry bag stocked with miniatures. “Instead of heavier glass bottles or full sizes, I carry a variety of travel-friendly deluxe samples, ampoule pads, and sheet masks for easy skincare on-the-go,” says Christine Chang, who co-founded K-beauty site Glow Recipe and travels between New York and Seoul up to eight times a year.

Simple wardrobe swaps can have the same effect. “When I’m hitting the markets right off the plane, every bit of space counts. All Good makes a stuffable jacket that pretty much lives in my backpack,” says O’Connor. “In a city like Melbourne, I’ve experienced all four seasons in one day and this jacket has saved me more than once. I also bring mesh sneakers that can fold or get smashed down over other rigid shoes.”

Tal Winter, co-founder of bkr, a line of sleek, colorful water bottles, crosses the country several times a month and prefers down to heftier knits when battling the cold. “In the winter, I try to pack the lightest, smushiest coats and layers instead of the heaviest and thickest. Uniqlo’s pack into a teeny little drawstring bag, and unless you’re traveling to a polar vortex it’s usually enough. It’s hard because we always want to look our most chic, but if you’re going to be indoors for the majority of your trip, it’s so much less schleppy.”

For Citro, though, clothes you can roll are key. “When I need a carry-on’s worth of clothes to last me five days, I only pack dresses,” she says. “DVF's (Diane Von Furstenberg) signature silk wrap dresses and Maje’s cotton ones are my go-to because they're lightweight and won't wrinkle if I roll them up into a little log. And for variety, instead of heavy necklaces and bracelets, I pack lightweight scarves and statement rings.”

Victoria Tsai, Japanese skincare brand Tatcha’s founder, splits her time between San Francisco, Kyoto, and Tokyo, and always wears a uniform to cut down on her packing. “It needs to be comfortable but look put-together enough to go straight from the airport to a meeting. A neutral palette makes for easy mix-and-matching: black, navys, and grays. I love Modern Citizen’s line because it’s effortless and chic. I also have a very lightweight computer (the HP EliteBook x360 weighs only 2.8 pounds) and don’t bring printed files with me when I travel—everything is digital,” she says.

Streamline with multipurpose products.

Kate Cutler, co-founder of bkr, always packs an empty 500 ml bottle that she fills right before a flight. “It saves me from buying expensive disposable bottles of water at the airport and I’ve even used them for wine a few times—for instance, when a flight delayed for ten hours finally boards right after we’ve ordered a bottle,” she says.

Have a souvenir strategy.

Tsai always packs an empty, foldable Tumi duffel to bring back global treasures. “It has traveled with me around the world and is the perfect size and material. I can fold it up in a bag or load it with gifts and it holds together perfectly,” she says.

“I trim excess fat anywhere I can. I always look into shipping back heavier souvenirs, usually wine, and it often comes out to be cheaper. Most airlines will provide you with a cheap plastic bag if you’re overweight and I’ve utilized these over purchasing extra luggage. They don’t offer much protection, but for items like boots or sturdy kitchen gadgets, it does the trick,” says O’Connor.